VehicleVerdict

2003 Land Rover Freelander problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 250 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 3.6 times the median Freelander year — the 2003 model ranks #2 of 6 Freelander years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

The trouble concentrates in one system: engine issues account for 40% of all reports (101 of 250), far ahead of fuel system at 34.

250

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

3

Investigations

3

Crash-involved

8

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2003 compare to other Freelander years?

Freelander NHTSA complaints by model year, 2003 highlighted404 complaints2000: 1 complaints2001: 5 complaints2002: 404 complaints2003: 250 complaints2004: 112 complaints2005: 26 complaints
Freelander NHTSA complaints by model year, 2003 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Freelander years to avoid →

What are the most common 2003 Land Rover Freelander problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine10140%
Fuel System3414%
Electrical System2912%
Transmission2711%
Brakes166%
Visibility & Wipers135%
Lighting104%
Body & Structure52%
Other31%
Latches & Locks31%
Airbags31%
Speed Control31%
Steering21%
Tires & Wheels10%

Does the 2003 Land Rover Freelander have recalls?

5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

07V041000LightingFebruary 9, 2007 · 33,247 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE BRAKE LIGHTS MAY REMAIN ILLUMINATED EVEN WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS NOT DEPRESSED. HILL DESCENT CONTROL (HDC), TRACTION CONTROL (TC) AND CRUISE CONTROL WARNING LIGHTS MAY ALSO BE ILLUMINATED.

Consequence

FAILURE TO PROVIDE THE PROPER SIGNAL WHEN BRAKING COULD LEAD TO A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BRAKE LAMP OPERATION AND WHERE REQUIRED, ADJUST AND/OR REPLACE THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCHES WITH NEW SWITCHES OF THE SAME DESIGN UNTIL A NEWLY DESIGNED BRAKE LAMP SWITCH IS AVAILABLE IN MAY 2007. OWNERS WILL THEN BE RE-NOTIFIED TO BRING THEIR VEHICLES IN FOR THE NEW BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. AN INTERIM LETTER FOR THE INITIAL INSPECTION WAS MAILED ON MARCH 26, 2007. THE SECOND LETTER FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE SWITCHES WAS MAILED BEGINNING JULY 30, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT LAND ROVER AT 1-80-637-6837.

05V300000Latches & LocksJune 28, 2005 · 1,941 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN FIVE DOOR SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, IT IS POSSIBLE TO OPERATE THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE TO OPEN THE DOOR WHEN THE CHILD SAFETY LEVER IS IN THE "ON" POSITION.

Consequence

THE OCCUPANT MAY OPEN THE DOOR INADVERTENTLY WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION AND FALL OUT INTO THE TRAFFIC, PERSONAL INJURIES COULD OCCUR.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE LATCH ASSEMBLY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 8, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT LAND ROVER AT 1-800-637-6837.

04V489000Body & StructureOctober 7, 2004 · 4 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AN INCORRECT WELD NUT WAS INSTALLED. LACK OF THIS BOLT COULD EVENTUALLY CAUSE THE SUBFRAME TO CRACK OR BECOME DEFORMED.

Consequence

A CRACKED OR DEFORMED SUBFRAME COULD POTENTIALLY LEAD TO INSTABILITY OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE TO SEE IF THE SUBFRAME FIXING IS CORRECTLY FITTED AND CLAMPED UP. IF NECESSARY, THE SUBFRAME WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW ONE THAT HAS CORRECT WELD NUTS. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT YET PROVIDED AN OWNER NOTIFICATION SCHEDULE. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT LAND ROVER AT 1-800-637-6837.

04V347000Body & StructureJuly 12, 2004 · 31,049 units

Defect

CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 201, "OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN INTERIOR IMPACT." DURING TESTING, THE FREE MOTION HEAD FORM REGISTERED A MEASUREMENT MARGINALLY ABOVE THE PERMITTED 1000 HEAD IMPACT CRITERIA. AT THE LEFT AND RIGHT HAND A-PILLAR TRIM AREA.

Consequence

IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, PERSONAL INJURY TO OCCUPANTS MAY OCCUR.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE A-PILLAR TRIM WITH A REVISED COMPONENT THAT ENABLES THE VEHICLE TO FULLY MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 201. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 6, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT LAND ROVER AT 1-800-637-6837.

04V207000Latches & LocksMay 5, 2004 · 3,194 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE CHILD DOOR LOCK ON THE LEFT HAND REAR DOOR CAN BECOME DISENGAGED.

Consequence

THIS COULD LEAD TO A CHILD BEING ABLE TO OPEN A REAR DOOR WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LEFT HAND REAR LATCH. THE RECALL BEGAN DECEMBER 4, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT LAND ROVER AT 1-800-637-6837.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“ VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT INTO THE DEALERSHIP MULTIPLE TIMES FOR OVERHEATING. AFTER THE 4TH TIME THE CAR OVERHEATED AND I LOST ALL POWER AS IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. I HAD TO MAKE A DANGEROUS LANE CHANGE ACROSS 4 LANES OF HIGHWAY WHILE LOSING POWER. THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED IN 2006 BUT THE DEALERSHIP SAID IT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · February 5, 2006 · fire

“2000 LANDROVER FREELANDER - TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT 57K MILES. TRANSMISSION COST ME 1150 DOLLARS TO FIX. \ THE FUEL PUMP FAILED AFTER ANOTHER 100 MILES. THAT COST ME 1050 DOLLARS. THIS CAR WAS JUNK. THE CAR HAS SINCE BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT WHICH TOTALED IT. BUT I CAN'T PROVE THE CAR WAS AT FAULT, BUT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · July 1, 2007 · crash

“IN HEAVY RAIN OR SLUSH THE ENGINE WILL JUST DIE (EVEN GOING THROUGH THE CAR WASH!). I HAVE BEEN LEFT ON THE SIDE OF THE FREEWAY ROUGHLY A HALF DOZEN TIMES, A COUPLE OF TIMES IN VERY UNSAFE LOCATIONS. I'M GUESSING THAT IT'S AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM, BUT THE DEALERSHIP IN BOTH CORTE MADERA AND ROSVILLE,…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · March 15, 2010

“2000 LANDROVER FREELANDER - TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT 57K MILES. TRANSMISSION COST ME 1150 DOLLARS TO FIX. \ THE FUEL PUMP FAILED AFTER ANOTHER 100 MILES. THAT COST ME 1050 DOLLARS. THIS CAR WAS JUNK. THE CAR HAS SINCE BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT WHICH TOTALED IT. BUT I CAN'T PROVE THE CAR WAS AT FAULT, BUT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · July 1, 2007 · crash

“2000 LANDROVER FREELANDER - TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT 57K MILES. TRANSMISSION COST ME 1150 DOLLARS TO FIX. \ THE FUEL PUMP FAILED AFTER ANOTHER 100 MILES. THAT COST ME 1050 DOLLARS. THIS CAR WAS JUNK. THE CAR HAS SINCE BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT WHICH TOTALED IT. BUT I CAN'T PROVE THE CAR WAS AT FAULT, BUT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · July 1, 2007 · crash

2003 Land Rover Freelander — common questions

Is the 2003 Land Rover Freelander reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 250 complaints put the 2003 model at #2 of 6 Freelander years. It is one of the Freelander years to avoid.

What are the most common 2003 Freelander problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (101 complaints), fuel system (34 complaints), electrical system (29 complaints).

Does the 2003 Land Rover Freelander have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2003 Land Rover Freelander. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2003 Land Rover Freelander under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 3 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Land Rover Freelander years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Freelander years to avoid are 2002, 2003, 2004. The cleanest record among Freelander years belongs to 2000.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.